Wednesday, February 10, 2010

The Glaciers of Patagonia

Chase and I absolutely love the water so we thought what better way to see a different part of Patagonia than by boat. So on our last full rainy cold day in Puerto Natles we woke up early and took a Taxi to the doc. Upon arriving we walked up to the boat and told them our name. The lady kept looking but our names were nowhere to be found. We had paid the night before so we were a little concerned. Luckily another crew member arrived with an updated list and thank goodness our name was on it. The boat was called Agunsa and was one of the nicest boats I have ever been on. All the seat where leather we had assigned seats and somehow despite intense winds and waves the boat staid relative stable and smooth.

Chase on the doc with the boat in the back ground


Chase and I in our seats on the boat

Enjoying a cup of tea

Our trip began through the beautiful Fjords even though it was raining we still got to enjoy the beautiful views. For a couple of minutes the weather cleared and we got to see a perfect rainbow.



Some birds that looked like a penguins but could fly. All the french people on the boats were pushing us out of the way to get pictures. It was pretty funny.

Chase was matching the crew so of course we had to take a picture, the best part is the crew had no idea what was going on!

The Fjords




When we finally arrived at the first glacier, the weather had turned particularily bad and most people decided to see the view from the warmth of the cabin. We however, decided to brave the cold and headed to get some pictures.




From here we continued up the Fjords to a national park island. Here we docked and took a 30 minute hike to see another glacier. It was nice to get off and strech our legs. We especially enjoyed getting to get closer to a glacier. Since we were two of the youngest people on the tour we quickly got about 5-10 minutes ahead of most of the people and enjoyed a nice time by the glacier without all the tourist standing around.



I had some many layers on long underwear, a fleece, a puff jacket and a raincoat and I was still cold!



While, we were there looking at the glacier we heard this loud cracking sound, then a huge chunk fell into the water and caused a large wave to start. It was one of the neatest things I have ever seen. During the process I actually tried to get a video and some pictures but I was so flustered that I did not do a very good job.

glacier falling





This was a crazy Argentinian who was wearing shorts

Different view of the glacier in the audience

Our boat is on the end

There was a second option take a zodiac up the river to Torres Del Paine, does that look like fun in the freezing rain? Luckily we stayed on the warm boat.

Chase finally had one of his wishes come true a scotch with glacier ice.

Don't worry I did not drink mine!


Chase took this picture in honor of my grandfather, Gpapa Chase wished you here to share a scotch. Gpapa is who first got Chase to drink Scotch.

Luckily in the afternoon the cloud finally cleared and the sun came out. We got to enjoy sitting on the back of the boat in the sun.

The boat dropped us off at a local cattle/ sheep ranch for lunch.

From the boat we walked up the hill to this cute little restaurant but before we went in to sit down we walked around back to see where they were cooking the lamb and have a pisco sour.

This is for captain Kirk, Chase's uncle


The crazy Argentinians with their portable mate' tea kit that they drank the whole time

view from the restaurant

The restaurant

The lamb


Chase having a deep conversation in Spanish with the Argentian


the waso, or chilean cowboy, in his very patriotic chilean flag shirt

our table at lunch was international with people from Germany, Argentina and the US

After lunch the boat company had cars to drive us back to Puerto Natales. I was so tired and could not wait to take a nap. Chase and I enjoyed a long nap before getting ready to go back into town for dinner.

While we were walking around Chase found this trash can and of coarse he had to have his picture with it.


we ended up eating dinner again at the italian restaurant, it just sounded good and we were so tired and not in the mood for another steak dinner.

Chase standing on top of our hotel

view from our hotel after dinner


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